Strange creatures were often found in places rarely visited by people, such as the Snake-tailed Starfish. Though it looked like a starfish and was named after one, it resembled a land-dwelling gecko. When it sensed danger, it shed an entire arm, and the severed arm could grow into a new individual. It was first discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, but Ruse had also found it on the seabed beneath the North Pole ice cap.
Besides that, Ruse had discovered several other magical creatures. The reason he had arrived at the school so late was that he had needed to find suitable homes for them.
Hagrid was helping Ruse care for a vampire. This vampire disguised itself as a reindeer and lived among a herd of deer. Ruse had braved the heavy snow to enter the Forbidden Forest because he wanted to see whether the one he kept was all right.
"Couldn't you wait until the snow stops?" Pomona asked, setting a cup of tea before Ruse.
"Thank you." Ruse accepted the tea and took a sip. "It's spending its first winter in an unfamiliar place. I'm afraid it won't adapt."
"Does it pull your sleigh for you?" Severus suddenly asked.
"Of course. Other than drinking blood, Spark is no different from a reindeer." Ruse looked at him in confusion.
Severus wore a malicious smile. Pomona shook her head as she looked at him, then asked, "I don't think you need to worry. Hagrid is very good at looking after animals."
"No, you don't understand." Ruse sighed. "No one comes to my place when the weather is bad. Spark is my only companion. I study dark creatures, and ordinary reindeer simply can't approach that place. Even Spark sometimes feels uneasy there, and I don't think anyone would consider hiking through the